Myasthenia Gravis

What is Myasthenia Gravis (MG)?

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease (where the immune system attacks the body in some way). Examples of other autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and Graves disease. For reasons that are not understood, the body's immune system, which normally fights infections or cancers, attacks the nerve-muscle communication point.

Specifically, antibodies (proteins of the immune system) attack the acetylcholine receptor, which is on the muscle surface, and cause the signal from the nerve to be blocked.

What are the symptoms of MG?

The major symptom of MG is muscle weakness, which gets worse with activity. People with MG complain of feeling tired. Often, they may feel pretty well in
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